Rhode Island Governor. He was educated in Rehoboth and Swansea, and in 1844 began training as a mason. He worked at this trade for several years in cities throughout the United States, also teaching school for several terms. In 1850 his brother and he started a grain business, in which he remained a partner until his 1890 retirement. During the Civil War he served in the state militia, and he later served in another militia unit the Providence Horse Guards. In 1877 he moved to Pawtucket, and in 1882 was elected President of the Town Council. In 1885 he was reelected, also winning a seat in the Rhode Island Senate. In 1886 President Grover Cleveland appointed him as an Appraiser in the Providence Customs House. In 1887 Davis was the successful Democratic nominee for Governor, taking advantage of a split in the Republican party, and serving two one-year terms. He was an unsuccessful candidate in 1888 and 1889, but in 1890 he was again elected Governor and served two one-year terms. In 1892 Davis was elected to the State Senate, serving one term, and in 1896 he was elected to a term as Mayor of Pawtucket.
Rhode Island Governor. He was educated in Rehoboth and Swansea, and in 1844 began training as a mason. He worked at this trade for several years in cities throughout the United States, also teaching school for several terms. In 1850 his brother and he started a grain business, in which he remained a partner until his 1890 retirement. During the Civil War he served in the state militia, and he later served in another militia unit the Providence Horse Guards. In 1877 he moved to Pawtucket, and in 1882 was elected President of the Town Council. In 1885 he was reelected, also winning a seat in the Rhode Island Senate. In 1886 President Grover Cleveland appointed him as an Appraiser in the Providence Customs House. In 1887 Davis was the successful Democratic nominee for Governor, taking advantage of a split in the Republican party, and serving two one-year terms. He was an unsuccessful candidate in 1888 and 1889, but in 1890 he was again elected Governor and served two one-year terms. In 1892 Davis was elected to the State Senate, serving one term, and in 1896 he was elected to a term as Mayor of Pawtucket.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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